Astrology, the study of influence
of Planets & Stars on mankind, is the oldest science known
to mankind. According to the Hindus, it originated with the creation
of mankind. Hence it is but proper to begin the study of the History
of Jyotisha from the Vedas.

The Vedas belong to a remote antiquity.
There are four vedas The Rig Veda, The Yajur Veda, The Sama Veda
and the Atharva Veda. The Pranava Mantra "AUM"
is the culmination of the three vedas Rig, Yajur and Sama vedas.
The Aakara from the Rig, the Ookara from the Yajur and the Makara
from the Sama Veda resulted in the Pranava Mantra "AUM".These
vedic hymns were revealed to Rishis by God when they were in a
state of inspiration. For millennia, they were passed on to posterity
through memory and hence vedas are called Srutis.

They are the source of all knowledge.
Jyotisha is called the Eye of Veda Purusha. All great sages
beginning from Manu, Patanjali, Kamada, Kapila and Jaimini down
to the modern sages like Dayananda, Sri Aurobindo, Swami vivekananda
etc., have admitted the superhuman quality of the vedas.

The vedas are broadly classified
into 6 branches.

Shiksha (Phonetics).

Kalpa (Ritual).

Vyakarana (Grammar).

Nirukta (Etymology).

Chhandas (Metrics).

Jyotisha (Astronomy & Astrology.

The word Veda has been
defined as a book which reveals the knowledge of supernatural
methods for the achievement of desired objects and avoidance of
the undesirable ones. So it is called the Book of Eternal Knowledge.

Brahma, the creator of the universe
had originated Jyotisha and hence it is impersonal and revealed
knowledge. It is not possible to ascertain the time of the sages
who gave birth to Jyotisha. But for the vedas, this knowledge
was passed on to posterity from teachers to disciples.

Astronomy and Astrology are dealt
within almost all the Hindu Scriptures. They are of 6 kinds viz.,

The Hindu scriptures claim that
civilization originated in India. In Mahabharata, it is mentioned
that the first man appeared in mountain Meru (Himalayas). The
Hindus gave the vedas to the world. The vedic hymns are probably
the earliest important religious documents of the human race.

Astrology also originated from
Bharatvarsha because -

It is a Karma Bhoomi where
the human beings reap the fruit of the work.

Rishis and Munis have performed
yajnas to make it a Karma Bhoomi.

To adjust oneself according
to the surroundings both physically and mentally and reap the
benefits for ones doings is called Jyotisha or is also called
Vedanga.

Astronomy deals with the detailed
descriptions of heavenly bodies including planets and stars their
existence, size and movement as well as their role in determining
time, day and night.

Astrology, on the other hand,
deals with the influence of heavenly bodies on mankind.

Sage Parashara is the father of
Astrology. He seems to have belonged to the 5th millennium
before Christ. After him the next important astrologers were Bhrigu,
Garga, Jaimini, Varahamihira to name a few.

The Indian Astrology has its roots
as far back as 5000 BC if not earlier. There is a mass of literature
in Sanskrit about Astronomy and Astrology that has no parallel
in any other country. A list of Jyotirvids with their year of
birth and their works are given below.

Name

Year
of Birth

Works

Varahamihira - The Jambhavan
of Indian Astrology

505 AD

Brihat Samhita, Brihat
Jataka, Pancha Siddhantika

Prituyasas - Son of Varahamihira

around
578 AD

Shad Panchasika, Horasara

Kalyanavarma

Saravali

Brahma Gupta

598 AD

Brahmasputa

Manjula

932 AD

Brahma Manas, Laghu Manas

Mahaviracharya

850 AD

Jyotisha Patal, Ganita
Sara Sangraha

Bhattotpala

967 AD

Commentary on Shad Panchasikas
of Brithuyasas, Commentary on classics of Varahamihira